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Phil Parkinson has encouraged Wrexham to embrace the chance they have to make their finest-ever season even more memorable.
The Red Dragons could clinch a Championship playoff spot on the final day of the season as they chase an unprecedented fourth consecutive promotion. Wrexham sit seventh in the standings ahead of Hull City on goal difference, with the formidable challenge of a home fixture against fourth-placed Middlesbrough next Saturday.
Wrexham must beat Middlesbrough to remain in control of their own fate, but regardless of what unfolds next weekend, it has already been an enormously successful campaign. The Red Dragons cannot finish lower than eighth in the table, meaning this will be the highest league finish in the club's 162-year history.
Phil Parkinson Sends Wrexham Reality Check
Rank / Season | League Finish | Finish in English Pyramid |
|---|---|---|
1: 2025–26 | Minimum 8th in Championship | Minimum 28th |
2: 1978–79 | 15th in Second Division | 37th |
=3: 1979–80 | 16th in Second Division | 38th |
=3: 1979–80 | 16th in Second Division | 38th |
5: 1981–82 | 21st in Second Division | 43rd |
Despite the disappointment of a 3–1 defeat to division champions Coventry City on Sunday, manager Parkinson is keen to highlight the positives in the broader context and acknowledge just how far his squad has come throughout the season.
"About a month ago, we dropped four points outside the top six," Parkinson told Sports Illustrated. "We have pulled together to fight our way back in. The lads have been outstanding, and now we're looking ahead to a productive week on the training pitch to get them prepared.
"We've had things go our way plenty of times on the final day of the season. There was a real party atmosphere in the stadium today. We saw Coventry dismantle Portsmouth on Tuesday, and it's almost as though securing promotion has lifted the pressure from their shoulders.
"Don't underestimate this division—coming into it, how rapidly we've climbed through the leagues—and to finish at the highest position in the club's history. This group of players has made that happen, and nobody can take that away from them. Naturally, the goal now is to seize this opportunity next week."
Coventry took a first-half lead through Brandon Thomas-Asante on their title-clinching day, but Wrexham leveled just seven minutes later through crowd favorite Ollie Rathbone. The Red Dragons had a handful of opportunities to take the win themselves before goals from Victor Torp and Ephron Mason-Clark sealed the victory for the hosts.
Rathbone was frustrated to see his side fall to defeat but reflected his manager's sentiments afterward. "At the start of the season, everyone would have accepted this situation," he told Sports Illustrated. "It shows how much the club has grown and developed that we've come to the best team in the division and are left disappointed that we didn't take anything from it. I'm incredibly proud of that progress we've made, but ultimately disappointed today.
"Over the 45 games, I think we have established a reputation that we will push every opponent hard. It is a tough place to visit, especially when the crowd is in full voice, as I have experienced before."